Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-27

tYs
act OF March 3, 1881, authorized the sale OF the
property, and directed that the proceeds should
0e used In the erection OF police station houses.
The money was used for the purpose prescribed,
and Of course the water fund was not credited
with it," At the present time. he said, the water
S h h nad nothing to 90 with the money
money is paid to the collector just as general taxes
are.
WHAT COMMISSIONER LUDLOW SAYS
Commissioner Ludlow said, when asked by STAR
reporter as to the charges made by Mr. Crane, that
so far as they related to the present management
OF the water Office he believed they were without
mace 10 the Commissioners regarding the manage
ment they would investigate 1t with care, and II
there were malfeasance discovered would hold the
persons implicated accountable under the law; on
the other hand II charges OF such serious charac-
ter were made without foundation the person
making Them should be held accountable to the
law The officials OF the water Office were entitled
to such protection.
Col. Ludlow said that the statements that there
nad Deen general increase OF water rates. and An
increase Of the Waterman taxes were erroneous
AS TO the Waterman taxes, Capt. SymOnS had re-
commented In his annual report an increase from
had taken no action in the matter, they did not
deem the proposed increase necessary or desirable
There has BEEN the colonel said, mo general In
crease In the water rents at ALL although there
had been REIMBURSEMENT OF the schedule OF rates
which, it was believed, was more equitable than
the Old schedule. This readjustment would re-
suit in increase OF S. 600 or $40 600 over the
whole CITY, the burden OF the increase being borne
Dy the class OF property most able to bear it. and
equitable share. This REIMBURSEMENT afIected only
the domestic rate. The increase upon the smaller
class OF dwelling houses amounted TO only 20
cents year. The old schedule In force up to the
nrst OF the present month prescribed the follow
ing domestic rates:
The rates for domestic purposes viii be charged &C.
IN N an tenemens two stories high. with front width
at 10 rect Or less S3o Pc, Each additional
The new schedule that went into force at the be-
ginning OF the current fiscal year, and under which
bills for water service are now being made out
prescribes the following domestic rates:
The rates for domestic purposes will be charged &C.
eordng to stories and trout feet. on ali tenements
feet or less, thr> dollars and fifty cents (s35O per
For each additional front foot or fraction thereof
For each additional story or part thereof one-thrd
OF the charge Ms committed above.
The new schedule it will be seen, increases the
rates OF small two-story houses, not exceeding IS
feet In width, the unit Of computation from $3.50
TO $3.50 year, or only 20 cents. AS houses In
crease In size there is material difference in the
charges made under the Old and under the new
wider than 10 Ieet but still only two stories high
the yearly water rentals are lower than
formerly. Where the great change is made is
rule person paid only $l.1O for each additional
story, no matter what the width OF his house WAS
Now, charge is made for The additional story,
SCs
TO pay for each additional story one-third OF the
charge made for the two stories after the width OF
the house has been taken into the Calculation.
Under the Old schedule q man who had three
pay $3.50, plus s1.4o Tor 5 additional
t1on5 de the at ~ cents per fo Plus
$3.50. Under the new schedule the man would
have to pay $3.50 plus u.2a, for the additional
making total or $3.50. the charge for the add.
tional story being one-third OF the amount which
would be charged II the house were but Two stories
In height. The calculation, II carried out, shows
that very large houses have to pay much more
than formerly, state or affairs which the Com
missioners deem more equitable and just
artificial and OF course not based upon the actual
amount OF water used. The only way TO fx the
rates Ia perfect accordance with equity Is to tn
actually used. This, however, he 6aueved, would
be an unpopular measure, As It would impose
great expense at the outset ana the Commission
erS were not prepared to recommend II. In this
city, he said, Notwithstanding the complaints
made, the water rates were lower than In any
city in the country.
one subject OF complaint at the meeting Inst
night was the change made by the Commissioners
as to the delivery or water bills 1t has been the
custom heretofore to have the yearly water bills
notice was published announcing when water
rents were due, and calling upon water-takers TO
missoners say that under the old plan q
large percentage OF the bills had to be
made out twice, as in many cases the
bills were lost or mlslaid or never reached the
proper person. This involved great deal OF Labor
and labor means expense. The law directs the
water registrar to make Inspections and to deliver
the bills. The office OF water registrar has been
abolished, some Of his powers and duties being
sumed by the Commissioners, and others by the
chief clerk OF the water Office or by the Supertn-
tendent OF the water department. The Commits
siOners think that the law requiring the delivery
OF bills does not necessarily mean that the bills
shall be taken to the houses OF water-takerS, and
that the law Is complied with II the bills are
dered or delivered TO the water takers upon their
application for them at the Omce.
A STATEMENT 10 BE PRKPARkp.
Capt. SymOns will, It Is stated at the District
buildings, prepare for the Commissioners q state
ment covering the operations OF the water depart
ment for the several years brought into question
by recent charges. The ngures which Mr.. Crane
prepared it Is stated took no account OF the fact
that general service or trunk mains were paid for
out Of the general funds, and no assessment was
made on their account against the property along
the line OF the main.
Interior Department ChAnyesL
The following Official changes have been MAIDEN
the Department OF the Interior:
Indian school Superintendent appointed-Rev.
Thos. C. Bradford. Of Port Gibson, Miss, has been
appointed superintendent Of the chilocco Indus
trial School for Indians In the Indian Territory ct
salary of 81 500 vice Walter r. Branham, IT,, re-
Pension Observation-Disclosures. Mrs Hayr.ett w